Feng Suige leaned back lazily against the chair and said, “Captain Fu, if you change your mind, remember to speak up.” Another woman glanced over, smiling as she drew closer, “Your Highness, it would be such a waste to mar or disfigure such a beauty!”
Feng Suige’s mouth twitched slightly, his eyes narrowing sharply. “What suggestion does Mei Yi have?”
A flash of malice crossed Mei Yi’s eyes. “Why doesn’t Your Highness assign her to the Su Sha Army’s Red Tent…” Before she could finish, a heavy slap landed on her face, sending her stumbling backward.
Feng Suige coldly watched Mei Yi sprawled on the ground. “Since you’re so thoughtful, why don’t I grant your wish and send you to comfort the soldiers instead?”
Shocked and in pain, Mei Yi threw herself at his feet, begging, “Mei Yi knows her mistake. Please spare me, Your Highness!”
Ignoring her pleas, Feng Suige gestured to a nearby guard. “Take her where she belongs.”
As Mei Yi’s wails faded into the distance, Feng Suige turned to meet Yi Xiao’s amused gaze, frowning. “What? Find this entertaining?”
Yi Xiao nodded, smiling as she asked, “Treating a former bedmate like this, don’t you feel any remorse?”
Feng Suige strode to her side, forcefully gripping her jaw. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Perhaps I should consider her suggestion. What do you think?”
Yi Xiao winced in pain but managed to enunciate each word clearly, “Do I have any room for negotiation in your hands?”
Feng Suige released her with a cold laugh. “It seems you still don’t believe I can easily pry open your mouth!”
Yi Xiao smiled faintly. “What method will you use on me then? Whipping? Oh, I know 108 torture techniques from the Jin Xiu Army. Would you like some suggestions? Or perhaps you’d prefer to have your guards violate me? Would that please you more?”
Feng Suige shuddered, shouting, “You… are you even a woman, daring to say such things?” Yi Xiao only responded with a provocative smile.
Their gazes clashed, almost sparking with countless battle intentions. After a long moment, Feng Suige averted his eyes, his tone still harsh, “I’ll return tomorrow. I hope by then, Captain Fu, you’ll have an answer that satisfies me.” With that, he swiftly left the cell.
Xia Jingshi pored over documents while Xiao Weiran stood solemnly beside him. After a long while, Xia Jingshi looked up with a furrowed brow. “How is this possible? No inn stays, no hired carriages, no city departures. Has Yi Xiao simply vanished into thin air?”
Xiao Weiran hesitated before speaking, “Your Highness, should we investigate the whereabouts of merchant caravans that recently left the city?”
Xia Jingshi pondered briefly. “You mean…”
Xiao Weiran nodded. “If Yi Xiao were to leave, she’d do so openly. This disappearance doesn’t bode well, in my opinion.”
“Mm, I’ll leave this to you then. Remember to instruct Ning Fei to keep a close eye on Ling Xueying. We can’t afford any more mishaps.” Xia Jingshi spoke wearily, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his brow.
Xueying sat restlessly at the table, idly plucking at the qin strings. Yi Xiao’s attire didn’t suggest a runaway maid, ruling out the possibility of being targeted by traffickers. But aside from that, there seemed to be no other explanation. Yet, given her temperament, who would dare buy her even if she were abducted?
Could she have left in anger and despair…
The more she thought, the more frightened she became. In her agitation, she plucked the string forcefully and stood up.
Ning Fei, who had been dozing against the wall, was startled awake by the sound. Before he was fully alert, Xueying had already walked past him, paying no attention.
“Hey, where are you going?” Ning Fei rubbed his eyes and hurried after her.
Xueying paused. “To find Yi Xiao, of course. Unlike you, who’s quick to promise to search but spends all day napping in corners!”
Ning Fei nearly howled in frustration. “Mind your words! I haven’t slept for days looking for Yi Xiao, turning over every brick in Lu City. I finally get a moment’s rest, and you criticize me.”
“But I’m worried Yi Xiao might be in danger,” Xueying’s eyes were already brimming with tears. “What if she’s… thinking of ending her life again…”
“Pah!” Ning Fei quickly spat. “Watch your words, child. Don’t curse her. Yi Xiao has always been resilient; she should be fine.”
Xueying nearly jumped up. “What do you mean, ‘child’? I saved Yi Xiao’s life; how could I curse her? If I had known she’d be in danger, I would never have let her come to Lu City. It’s all Prince Zhen Nan’s fault, and you’re all his accomplices. Are you satisfied now that she’s vanished without a trace…”
Before she could finish, Ning Fei clamped a hand over her mouth. “There you go again, every other word about death.” Suddenly, he froze, quickly withdrawing his hand as if burned, looking strangely at his palm’s moisture. “You’re crying?”
Xueying hastily wiped her eyes with her sleeve, turning away without a word.
Ning Fei awkwardly wiped the tears from his palm on his chest, stepping in front of her. “Hey, don’t cry. If I hurt you accidentally, you can hit me back. Why are you crying?”
Seeing Xueying still unresponsive, he clumsily grabbed her hand, patting it against his chest. “Here, here, hit me back. Just don’t cry.”
Embarrassed and angry, Xueying struggled to free herself, finally exclaiming, “Let go, or I’ll scream assault!”
Ning Fei immediately released her hand. Xueying, unprepared, stumbled backward with a yelp.
Seeing her fall, Ning Fei helped her up, suppressing a laugh. “Not my fault. You told me to let go.” Xueying brushed the dirt off her hands, her face cold. Suddenly, she kicked his shin with all her might. Caught off guard, Ning Fei yelped and hopped away, crouching down to curse, “Never seen such a wild woman, even Yi Xiao is more refined than you. Who’d believe you claim to be a well-bred lady… Hey, don’t run!”
Seeing Xueying fleeing, he gritted his teeth and stood up, limping after her.
Counting the water drops in the clepsydra, each drop seemed to strike Yi Xiao’s heart. Time passed slowly, the light from the window gradually lengthening. Her limbs, bound by iron shackles, had lost all feeling. Silently cursing Feng Suige, Yi Xiao tried to divert her attention from her numb hands and feet.
Night finally fell, the cold air seeming to penetrate her very bones, chilling her heart. Though it was spring, she had left in a hurry, wearing only thin indoor clothes. After Feng Suige’s abduction, she had likely lost all her belongings.
Realizing this, Yi Xiao couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile. Even if she had her things, who would care about the comfort of a prisoner?
Feng Suige’s two questions must mean he suspects the Jin Xiu Dynasty covets the Su Sha Kingdom.
It’s understandable. Those not present would never believe a woman would risk her life to prevent her beloved from marrying another, especially given their vast difference in status. Not to mention Xia Jingshi turning back because of it—even now, she finds it incredible.
Your Highness, is Yi Xiao deluding herself, or you…
“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Feng Suige’s mocking voice sounded at the door, his jet-black eyes like jewels, fixed on the faint smile that had just appeared on Yi Xiao’s lips.
Yi Xiao immediately suppressed her smile, lowering her lashes. “Has dawn come so quickly?”
Feng Suige silently gritted his teeth. “This is my domain. I come when I please. Do I need to announce myself to you? Enjoy the cold night in my villa, Captain Fu!” With that, he threw the felt blanket he was holding onto the ground and stormed off angrily.
Yi Xiao’s gaze moved from the ground to the wide-open cell door. Suddenly, she shouted, “Feng Suige, you idiot! Even if you don’t give me a blanket, at least remember to close the door!”
Behind the low-hanging brocade curtains of the Seven Treasures, the musk and ambergris from the Pi Xiu incense burner wafted an intoxicating fragrance. Feng Suige reclined on comfortable cushions, listening to his spy’s report.
The servant at Fu Yi Xiao’s home said that due to her military duties, Fu Yi Xiao rarely returned home. After her mother’s death, she visited even less frequently, perhaps once in several years. If not for the continuous rewards from Prince Zhen Nan being sent to the Fu family, they might have forgotten about this little-favored young lady.
Dismissing the spy, Feng Suige unconsciously cracked his knuckles, making popping sounds.
Years ago, when the two countries were at war, although the Su Sha Kingdom had a powerful army, several certain victories were thwarted by Prince Zhen Nan’s clever strategies. He deeply feared this Jin Xiu Marquis known as the God of War.
Now, though a peace treaty had been signed between the two countries, the marriage agreement between Prince Zhen Nan and Xi Yang remained unfulfilled. They couldn’t directly question the Jin Xiu Emperor through diplomatic channels about why Prince Zhen Nan, despite being in good health, kept delaying the marriage with illness as an excuse. Moreover, Xi Yang was unusually stubborn. So, the only option was to target Xia Jingshi.
Xia Jingshi had always been indifferent, without a wife or concubine, and rarely allowed women to get close to him. Fu Yi Xiao seemed to be an exception—he wondered how Xia Jingshi would react if he knew it was he who had abducted Fu Yi Xiao.
The door opened, and Yun Yi entered. Seeing Feng Suige still deep in thought, she climbed onto the brocade couch, languidly saying, “Your Highness, it’s so cold outside. Why not retire early?”
Feng Suige glanced at her. “Is it very cold?”
Yun Yi chuckled softly. “Once Your Highness joins me, Yun Yi won’t be cold anymore.”
Feng Suige mused thoughtfully, “Let her suffer a bit. It’s good for her.”
Yun Yi looked puzzled. “Who is Your Highness talking about?”
Feng Suige flashed a smile. “It’s nothing.”